(D-Wave CEO Dr. Alan Baratz & Davidson President Dale Moore share the stage at Qubits Conference, in Boston.)
(BOSTON, MA) – On the heels of the June 16th announcement that D-Wave will install an Advantage™Quantum Computer at Davidson's new global headquarters in Huntsville, Davidson President, Dale Moore, delivered a presentation at D-Wave's Qubits Conference in Boston. Titled "Quantum for National Defense," Moore's presentation outlined how quantum computing can revolutionize national defense capabilities and provided a glimpse into the innovative applications Davidson is exploring. Moore began by expressing gratitude for the partnership with D-Wave and underscoring the significance of hosting the D-Wave Advantage™ system at Davidson’s new facility.
"We are focused on the adoption of quantum technology because we believe it has a future in applications critical to national defense and overall national security," Moore stated. "Our mission is to design and deliver advanced intelligent technology solutions for our customers, and quantum computing exemplifies how these solutions can be applied."
Key Use Cases: Weapon-to-Target Assignment and Radar Scheduling
Moore delved into two primary use cases that Davidson has been working on to demonstrate the practical applications of quantum computing in defense. All internal research and development data presented was notional and unclassified:
Weapon-to-Target Assignment (Interceptor Assignment):
This problem involves optimizing the assignment of interceptors to incoming threats to maximize the probability of successfully neutralizing those threats. Moore explained that this complex problem scales exponentially with the number of threats and interceptors, making it an ideal candidate for quantum computing.
"We have advanced the problem to a significantly higher level of complexity, aiming to demonstrate how impactful a quantum solution can be versus classical methods," said Moore. "Timing is crucial, and the speed of quantum computing provides a critical advantage in decision-making."
Radar Scheduling:
This use case focuses on optimizing the scheduling of radar pulses to track and discriminate between objects in space. Moore highlighted the challenge of managing limited radar resources to maximize tracking efficiency, especially given the growing number of objects in low Earth orbit.
"Optimizing the scheduling of radar resources is critical for accurate tracking and discrimination," Moore explained. "Quantum computing enables us to find the most efficient scheduling solutions, which is vital for national defense."
Future Applications and the Path Forward
Looking ahead, Moore outlined several future applications of quantum computing that Davidson is exploring, including materials simulation, logistics optimization, and autonomous systems. He emphasized the potential of quantum technology to drive paradigm shifts in defense operations.
"Quantum technology will play a key role in the future of national defense," Moore asserted. "From optimizing logistics to advancing autonomous systems, the possibilities are vast. At Davidson, we are committed to staying at the forefront of these advancements to deliver the most efficient and effective solutions for our customers."
This partnership with D-Wave builds on our existing relationship, highlighted by a multi-year reseller agreement announced in January 2023. Together, we are working on initiatives to support classified quantum-hybrid applications, crucial for national defense programs. Quantum technology, particularly quantum-hybrid applications, can support a variety of mission objectives, including supply chain optimization, logistics management, weapon system optimization, and vehicle routing.